Unilateral orthodontic device for repositioning a molar tooth



July 9, 1963 H. A. TRAIGER 3,096,584

UNILATERAL ORTHODONTIC DEVICE FOR REPOSITIONING A MOLAR TOOTH FiledMarch 51. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F l G. 4

INVENTOR.

HARRY A. TEA/GER ATTORNEYS July 9, 1963 H. A. TRAIGER 3,09 84 UNILATERALORTHODONTIC DEVICE FOR REPOSITIONING A MOLARTOOTH Filed March 31, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9

INVENTOR. HARRY A. TWA/GER HMMW United States Patent 3,096,584UNILATERAL ORTHODONTIC DEVICE FOR REPOSITIONING A MOLAR TOOTH HarryAaron Traiger, 3206 Fairlield Ave., New York 63, N .Y. Filed Mar. 31,1959, Ser. No. 803,137 7 Claims. (Cl. 32F-14) My invention relates to adevice to be used in the art of orthodontics, a subdivision ofdentistry. The invention makes possible the utilization of internaltraction to correct the malposition of an individual permanent molartooth.

As is well known, when a molar tooth assumes an irregular position inthe human mouth the following conditions may occur; the occlusion may bedisturbed, a deformity can be produced in the location or growth of thejaws, and a crowding of the other teeth may occur.

In conventional practice, when it is desired to change a position of amalposed molar, use is made of a spring or coils. In the Norwegiansystem a loose fitting, removable acrylic plate is specially relieved sothat pressure will be borne exclusively against the tooth to be shifted.It will be noted that in all the above procedures a push force isemployed. One or more valid objections or improvements to each of theaforementioned conventional devices can be ascertained from the summaryof the nature and objects of my invention which are as follows:

My invention embodies a rigid, fixed or removable, prefabricated orindividually constructed, unilateral device designed to utilizematerials capable of producing a tnactionable force in the mouth formoving a permanent molar tooth, in the same quadrant of the mouth as thedevice, to its best anatomical and functional position. In thisconnection, the device acts as an interceptive orthodontic appliancecorrecting incipient malocclusion-s in children. For adults, it willres-tore a molar tooth to the best axial inclination for supportingfixed or removable bridge-work.

One of the prime objects of my invention is to provide effective andcontrolled tooth movements in several directions, said movement beingindependently employed or jointly employed at will.

Another prime object of my invention is to produce a gentle, butcontinuous force, rather than an intermittent force, to move anoifending molar. A tractionable material provides this continuity ofcorrective pressure.

A further object of my invention features a specially designed platformwhich speeds the time needed for correction by eliminating cuspalinterference from a tooth in the opposing jaw.

Another object of my invention is that the dentist may elect to fix thedevice to the natural teeth. This prevents the patient from removing theappliance and protects against loss. In addition to the use of dentalcementing materials, the dentist may insert a wire ligature for addedsupport in retaining the applicance.

An object of my invention, of no minor consequence, is to reduce thetediousness that is usually connected with moving an individual molartooth. Therefore, the construction and fitting of individual parts islargely eliminated. Minimum adjustments are needed, since thetractionable mechanism is self-adjustive. A dentist may employ a properfitting appliance chosen from a prefabricated stock.

How these and many other objects are to be implemented will becomeapparent through a consideration of the accompanying drawings wherein:'

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an X-ray of the upper left posteriorarea of the human mouth.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus in position in the left sideof the mouth.

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FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the device in position in the leftside of the mouth (buccal view) FIG. 4 is a section at 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, top view of the last portion of the apparatus asshown in FIG. 2, showing the effects of a modification.

FIG. 6 is the same view as above, showing another modification.

FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of a portion of the apparatus, showingstill another modification by use of a tube.

FIG. 8 is the same View as FIG. 5, showing a portion thereof.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic View of the tooth movement shown in FIG. 8, asseen from the front of the mouth.

Upon reference to the drawings in detail, in FIG. 1 is shown a verycommon tooth disorder, whereby a molar tooth dr has drifted forwardpreventing a. bicuspid tooth imp from erupting and reaching its properposition in the mouth. FIG. 2 shows my device in position correcting thetooth disorder described above. In the operation of the apparatus, athin stainless steel ligature wire 1, approximately .012 inch indiameter, holds the tractionable material 2 in position. Thetractionable material may be a latex elastic band, x /s inches inlength,

or the new elastic-thread ligature, and tiny, stretched coils I can beused. While one end of the tractionable material is being held firmly tothe front end (mesial surface) of the molar tooth, the remainder of thetractiona'ble material goes over the top (occlusal) surface and is shownattaching to the distal attachment loop 3, which is located on thedistal aspect of the posterior mounting member or projectory 4. Theprojectory comprises two brackets, and should be made of a heavy gaugewire, of at least .019 inch in diameter, and the attachment loops'may beformed from it by stamping. The projectory is in turn connected bysoldering, welding, spotwelding, or, as shown in FIG. 2, as a one-piececast with the retention body 5. Said one-piece casting converts theloops into solid posts. The retention body should be very rigid and maybe constructed from the stamping or casting of stainless steel, %.;x%inch in thickness. Any chrome cobalt alloy will be suitable, as well asacrylic, of greater thickness, or any dental plastic capable of beingflasked and molded. The retention body is generally channel-shaped andsupports the device by being cemented to a grouping of natural teeth N.The two brackets forming the projectory extend from one end of theretention body. This cementing procedure may be elective when the deviceused is of a custom-made all-metal or all-dental plastic type, wherebythe device is constructed from impressions made of an individualpatients mouth. Another elective procedure to gain additional retentionis to pass a ligature wire 6 under the interproximal contact point,formed by the contact of the natural teeth, and secure it around theretention body by means of twisting the ends into a knot with adentimeter. In FIG. 3 it can be seen that not only does the tractionablematerial 2 move the drifted tooth dr back, but since the "tn-actionablematerial pulls against the top (occlusal) surface of the drifted molar,there is a definite force set up to move the drifted molar upwards(apically) as well. This upward displacement of the molar is possiblebecause the distal attachment loop 3 is higher than the occlusal thirdof the drifted tooth. The dotted outline of a molar tooth c-dr shows thedrifted mola-rs forward displacement and elongation, corrected by meansof the device. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the means of attaching theprojectory (10', lingual aspect) by directly spot-welding it to theretention body 5. It is desirable, for purposes of a modification madeclear in FIG. 6, to have the posterior projectory (10;

9, buccal aspect) on a level with the base of the interdental papillaeof the gingivae, at least until the projectories reach an area near thedistal attachment loop 3. FIG. 4 illustrates how anchorage is achievedby the retention body 5, which gains its support from the natural teethN, and even some displacement resistance from. the unerupted naturaltooth Nu. When the apparatus is of the pre-fabricated type, a cementingbond 11 is necessary. For that purpose any good grade zinc phosphatecement or quick-setting dental plastic cement will suffice. A feature,which adds to the positive retention of the apparatus, is shown, wherebya thin ligature wire 6 is passed above (below, in the lower jaw) thecontact point N12 of the natural anchor teeth N and continues to engagethe outside surface of the retention body so that when the ends of theligature Wire are twisted together, the wire completely encompasses theretention body and a positive lock is obtained. Another object of theinvention is shown in FIG. 4. The retention body sets over the naturalanchor teeth N and prevents the teeth of the upper and lower jaw frommeeting. This is very advantageous, since the drifted molar dr canreposition itself without interference from the cusps of the opposingtooth. The patient learns to adjust to chewing on the occlusal (top)surface of the retention body 5. In FIGURE 5, an alteration of thedesign of the projectory is shown, which makes it possible for theinvention to treat four or five additional malpositions that a molar canassume. The first alteration noted is the buccal attachment loop 7formed from the buccal aspect of the posterior projectory 8. When anelastic 2. is attached to the lingual surface of a malposed molar dr,whose condition is described as lingual cross-bite, by a thin ligature 1and the rest of the tractionable material 2 crosses over the occlusalsurface of the molar until it is attached to the buccal attachment loop7, we will find that the traction set up will force the malposed toothtoward the buccal attachment loop, thus correcting the lingual crossbitedisorder mentioned above. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a secondelastic or tractionable material 2 may be stretched from the mesial(front) surface of a malposed molar and inserted on the distalattachment loop 3 of the distal aspect of the posterior projectory 4.With both of these tractionable materials exerting their forcessimultaneously, a malposed molar will move in the approximate directionindicated by the arrow. The movement, being a combination backwards,cheekwards, and rootwards movement, has application in the correction ofa malposed molar in lingual crossbite which has also drifted forward.The lingual attachment loop 9 of the lingual aspect of the posteriorprojectory is shown, but their functions will be illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9. The attachment loops may be formed by stamping or bending theprojectory, and by a one-piece casting.

in FIG. 6, another modification is shown which embodies the objects ofmy invention to move a drifted, but broken down molar. In this case, themodification makes it possible to treat 'a malposed molar that cannothave the tractionable agent ligated to it. Thus, a badly carious molaror one that is partly covered over by gum tissue, can still be restoredto the best anatomical position. Essentially, in this modification, thebuccal attachment loop 7 of the buccal aspect of the posteriorprojectory 8 is located more to the distal back, as is the lingualattachment loop 9 of the lingual aspect of the posterior projectory 10,close to the distal attachment loop 3, as shown in the drawing. Threedistinct factors make this modification a very efficient guidancesystem: first, the grouping of the attachment loops mentioned above;second, the setting of the posterior projectory (buccal and lingualaspects) at a level with the base of the interdental papillae of thegingivae, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9; and third, a convergence of theposterior projectory (buccal and lingual aspects) towards the distal(back), as illustrated in FIG. 6. The guidance system, aforementioned,is important to prevent the tractionable material from crawling rootwiseand denuding portions of the molar, while the convergence of theprojectory makes it possible for the tractionable agent to beexceptionally self-adjustive and glidible. The arrow shows the drifted,but u-nligatible molar dr being driven backwards during treatment. It ispointed out here that the modification described in conjunction with theFIG. 5 drawing can be used for an unligatible molar, but traction force,range of movement, and glidibility of the tractionable agent arereduced.

FIG. 7 presents an embodiment whereby the posterior projectory is madedetachable from the retention body by means of metallic tubes orbrackets. Essentially, as shown in the drawing, the posterior projectory(the lingual aspect 10 is only shown) is passed through a tight-fittingtube 13, which is attached to the outer surface of the retention body 5by soldering, welding, or spot-welding. To prevent the projectory fromsliding forward, a stop spur or spurs 14 are added by soldering,welding, spotwelding, or one-piece casting .with the projectory. Toprevent the projectory from sliding off, an end-bend 15 is made.However, should the tubes be placed on the innermost surface of theretention body, the projectory will be stabilized against accidentaldisplacement by the gripping action of the phosphate or dental plasticcement, doing away with the need for stop spurs or end-bends. Thus, theembodiment described above makes it possible for a single retention bodyunit, possessing this detachable feature, to attach to a projectorychosen from a wide selection of types and lengths.

As previously noted FIG. 8 is part of the same view as in FIG. 5. Aseparate drawing is presented to show additional molar movements thatare possible with the use of this modification. For instance, as shownin the drawing, the malposed molar dr may have a ligated (1)tractionable agent 2 stretched from the buccal surface of the malposedmolar to the lingual attachment loop 9 of the lingual aspect of theprojectory 10. This arrangement would move the molar, as indicated bythe arrow towards the lingual attachment loop 9. Such movement isdesirable to correct a condition of a molar known as buccal crossbite.This condition is illustrated in FIG. 9 by the position relationship ofthe malposed molar dr and the opposite molar in the lower jaw N, 0. Amolar, in buccal crossbite, may also drift forward, and to correct thiscond1tion a second tractionable agent should be stretched from themesial (front) surface of a malposed molar and inserted on the distalattachment loop 3. This second tractionable agent is precisely shown inFIG. 5 and indicated, but partly drawn, in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 also indicattes how a tractionable agent may be stretched fromthe buccal attachment loop 7 of the buccal aspect of the projectory 8over the occlusal (top) surface of any elongated molar dr and insertedon the lingual attachment loop 9 of the lingual aspect of the projectory10. The tractionable force used to depress the overlong molar should bevery mild.

The posterior projectory may be differentiated from a bow or an archwirebecause it is passive, and by itself, does not influence tooth position.While I have described specific embodiments of my invention it isapparent that changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. An intra oral tota-l traction orthodontic device for correctingmalpositioned teeth, said device comprising an elongated substantiallyrigid channeled retention body fittable with its base upon the topsurfaces of a grouping of natural anchor teeth lengthwise thereof, asubstantially rigid mounting member extending from one end of saidretention body substantially in alignment therewith, said mountingmember having two brackets extending from the side walls of saidretention body to straddle the flanks of at least one ma-lpositionedtooth without contact therewith, attachment means on said mountingmember, and an elastic ligature re'leasably attachable to saidattachment means, said ligature being placeable upon the ma'lpositionedtooth to exert traction upon the same towards the point of attachment ofthe ligature on the mounting member.

2. An orthodontic device according to claim 1 wherein said attachmentmeans comprise several spaced apart members provided on said mountingmember for attaching at least one ligature to a selected one of saidattachment members.

3. An orthodontic device according to claim 2 wherein each of saidattachment members is in the form of a projection protruding from saidbrackets.

4. An orthodontic device according to claim 1 wherein the free ends ofsaid brackets are joined by a cross bar to form a closed frame ofgenerally U-sha-pecl configuration and wherein several spaced .apartattachment members are provided on said brackets and said cross bar.

5. An orthodontic device according to claim 1 wherein said brackets aresecured to said retention body length- Wise slidable in reference to theside walls thereof, and

means for locking said brackets in selected lengthwise positions inreference to the retention body to vary the effective length of saidbrackets.

6. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said retentionbody comprises a channel-shaped prefabricated plate, and cement foranchoring said retention body upon said grouping of natural anchorteeth.

7. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising aligature for securing said retention body upon said grouping of naturalanchor teeth, said ligature passing around said retention body and beingextenda'ble through a point of contact of adjacent anchor teeth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS262,088 Morrison Aug. 1, 1882 1,292,702 Canning Jan. 28, 1919 1,479,439Williams Jan. 1, 1924 1,938,428 Johnson Dec. 5, 1933 2,502,902Tofiiemire Apr. 4, 1950 2,822,612 Strickler Feb. 11, 1958

1. AN INTRA ORAL TOTAL TRACTION ORTHODONTIC DEVICE FOR CORRECTINGMALPOSITIONED TEETH, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLYRIGID CHANNELED RETENTION BODY FITTABLE WITH ITS BASE UPON THE TOPSURFACES OF A GROUPING OF NATRUAL ANCHOR TEETH LENGTHWISE THEREOF, ASUBSTANTIALLY RIGID MOUNTING MEMBER EXTENDING FROM ONE END OF SAIDRETENTION BODY SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALIGNMENT THEREWITH, SAID MOUNTINGMEMBER HAVING TWO BRACKETS EXTENDING FROM THE SIDE WALLS OF SAIDRETENTION BODY TO STRADDLE THE FLANKS OF AT LEAST ONE MALPOSITIONEDTOOTH WITHOUT CONTACT THEREWITH, ATTACHMENT MEANS ON SAID MOUNTINGMEMBER, AND AN ELASTIC LIGATURE RELEASABLY ATTACHABLE TO SAID ATTACHMENTMEANS, SAID LIGATURE BEING PLACEABLE UPON THE MALPOSITIONED TOOTH TOEXERT TRACTION UPON THE SAME TOWARDS THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THELIGATURE ON THE MOUNTING MEMBER.